Jane McDonald 'beyond thrilled' as she celebrates unbelievable news


Jane McDonald released her 11th studio album earlier this month, and the former The Cruise star had plenty to celebrate as it shot to the top of the charts


Jane McDonald in a red velvet dress at the British Soap Awards© Getty Images
Matthew Moore
Matthew MooreSenior Evening Writer
March 27, 2026
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Jane McDonald said that she was "beyond thrilled" as her album, Living the Dream, had shot to the top of the independent albums chart.

The news, which was announced on Friday, also revealed that the 62-year-old's latest album, which is described as a "personal exploration of country storytelling", had also sold the most records in independent record shops.

The album is the first that Jane has released under her own record label, Jeanie Productions. The album currently sits in tenth spot on the official charts, the Official Charts Company confirmed. This puts the singer behind the likes of BTS, Harry Styles and Fleetwood Mac.

Jane confirmed that the album was coming last November, when she announced on her website: "I am absolutely delighted to share this news with you. I have a brand new album on the way and I will be taking it out on tour across the UK in 2026 with a brand new live show called Living The Dream.

WATCH: Jane McDonald makes exciting announcement for 2026

"The album was recorded at the legendary Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee and it is full of heart, joy and the stories and moments that make life what it is. I cannot wait to sing these new songs for you alongside the favourites you love. Being on stage with you all is one of the greatest joys of my life and I am so looking forward to being back together again."

Jane's busy year

It's not just new music that Jane has treated her fans to recently, as the star also starred in a six-part travel series on Channel 5 earlier this year, titled Pole to Pole.

The first episode, which aired on 2 January, saw the star travel around Winter Island, with a trip to nearby Livingston Island. The series saw the singer travel on the Scenic Eclipse and Emerald Sakara as she heads through countries including South Georgia, Uruguay, Brazil and Norway.

Jane McDonald in a grey parka coat, pink bobble hat and life preserver© Instagram
Jane was travelling the world earlier this year

After the episode's broadcast, Jane shared a behind-the-scenes look on her social media. Many of the images saw the Lost in Japan presenter in a grey parka coat as the cruise ship sailed near ice floes. In one photo, Jane could be seen chatting to her close friend, Sue, while other pictures saw her with a boom mic or being sailed out to the nearby islands.

Fans immediately flooded the comments with praise for the star and her new series, as one enthused: "We loved it!! But oh so brave, keep doing what brings you joy," and a second added: "Thoroughly enjoying the programme, Jane. You are an inspiration!"

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